T.O. Music Notes

Sure, there may be clubs with more glamorous people in them, but there's no sharper-dressed crowd out on a Wednesday night than the one at Lava's Mod Club.

Despite the mid-week billing, DJs Mark Holmes and Bobbi Guy continue to bring out the best of 60s British pop during their weekly College Street rave-up, and no matter the weather, the crowd never fails to disappoint.

Though last Wednesday's first-anniversary bash was a bit crisp for full scooter action, the regulars were still in full effect, flashing their best Fred Perrys while Holmes strutted around in a Union Jack wrap and folks stomped to soul on the dance floor.

After a very successful year, maybe it was inevitable that Holmes and Guy would be dissed last weekend in the Post by their mod rivals from the El Mo's Blow Up party.

Perhaps a face-to-face mod DJ battle or northern soul dance-off to keep the peace is in order.

In town for Thanksgiving celebrations with his family, which includes his old man and fellow producer Jack Richardson, best known for his work with the Guess Who and Alice Cooper, the junior Richardson namechecked American group Boy Hits Car ("Like the Doors meet Zeppelin meet eastern music") followed by Joydrop and - drum roll, please - Slipknot.

Apparently, the masked Iowan terrors were impressed with Richardson's work on both the Rage album and Illinois' maquillaged brute rockers Mudvayne, who Richardson describes as "completely awesome, like Rush meet Tool meet Korn," and whose debut recently surfaced on Epic. Nice to know an in-demand homegrown talent doesn't need to relocate stateside to successfully practise his craft.

MARY DE KEYZER

Brigantine Room, Sun, October 8

Trading the smell of cheap draught and pickled eggs for the homey aromas emanating from the nearby Perogy Shack, long-time Brunswick House regulars Mary de Keyzer and Melody Ranch unspooled some fine honky-tonk at the Brigantine Room Sunday afternoon as part of Harbourfront Centre's HarvestFest celebrations.

As parents sitting on bales of hay bounced toddlers on their knees and cowboys and -girls pirouetted stage front, the combo, headed by a smart-looking de Keyzer, pounded through country covers and originals, the latter notably written by commanding pedal steel player Chris Whiteley.

All in attendance seemed tickled by the display, but one gentleman in particular appeared truly stoked. Bounding into the open-air room wearing a red Home Hardware toque, matching red foam clown nose and two blobs of green makeup on either cheek, the unidentified (like I was gonna go ask) merry prankster gaily hoisted a yellow puppet bunny on his right hand into the air in sync with the music.

While it's unclear whether the bunny and its master attended the pre-show square dancing lessons, their enthusiasm was truly commendable. Thankfully, only one baby cried in terror.